NKU fires AD, will conduct national search for replacement

Northern Kentucky University has fired athletic director Scott Eaton. University President Geoffrey Mearns said in a letter to the Board of Regents Monday that Eaton was terminated for failure to comply with NKU's ethical principles and code of conduct. Mearns said the information he received required a swift and decisive response.

Mearns laid out this timeline in his letter:

"The process that led to my decision began last Friday, March 8, when I became aware of possible misconduct by Mr. Eaton. One Monday, March 11, I received additional information. The next morning, the University retained outside counsel, Dinsmore & Shohl, to conduct an independent and thorough investigation. That same day, I suspended Mr. Eaton from his duties. The information generated during the initial phase of the investigation formed the basis for my decision to terminate Mr. Eaton's employment."

Mearns also said an investigation is continuing to determine the full scope and impact of Eaton's conduct.

He later told reporters it does not involve an NCAA rules violation and there's no missing money, so the termination wasn't for financial misconduct.

NKU will conduct a national search for a new athletic director. Meantime, the departing Vice President for University Advancement, Gerard St. Amand, will be the acting athletic director.